Disposable elbow sleeve for sneezing and coughing

ABSTRACT

A disposable sleeve. The sleeve includes: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve.

This application claims priority to co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/383,568, filed on Sep. 19, 2010, entitled DISPOSABLE ELBOW SLEEVE FOR SNEEZING AND COUGHING, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure is related generally to a disposable garment, and more particularly to a disposable sleeve for catching fluids from coughing and sneezing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that the best way to stop the spread of germs resulting from coughing and sneezing is to (1) cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; or (2) if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.

Unfortunately, there may be times when a person requires the use of both hands and cannot access a tissue, even if he or she has one nearby. For instance, a person may be operating a machine that requires both hands; a doctor may be operating with both hands, etc. Accordingly, the only option for the person is to sneeze of cough into their elbow. Unfortunately, this leaves germs and/or unsightly fluids on the person's garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a disposable sleeve that can be worn over a person's arm to catch fluids resulting from a cough or sneeze. In a first aspect, the invention provides a disposable sleeve, comprising: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a system, comprising: a plurality of disposable sleeves, each having a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve; and a dispenser for storing and dispensing the plurality of disposable sleeves; wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected to each other.

In a third aspect, the invention provides plurality of disposable sleeves, each comprising: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve; wherein each disposable sleeve is connected to at least one adjacent disposable sleeves to facilitate removal from a container.

The illustrative aspects of the present invention are designed to solve the problems herein described and other problems not discussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a disposable sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a disposable sleeve being worn in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a “tissue-box” dispenser for storing and dispensing sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a personal carry case dispenser for storing and dispensing sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a dispensing system having a stand for storing and dispensing sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a storage configuration having connected sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 depicts a container having a perforated opening for separating connected sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts an alternative embodiment for connecting sleeves in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a dispensing roll for dispensing connected sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a second alternative embodiment for connecting sleeves in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts a vertical dispenser for dispensing connected sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 depicts an alternative grasping member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 depicts a further alternative grasping member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a disposable sleeve 10 that is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a main body 12, a first opening 18 a and a second opening 18 b. Main body 12 generally comprises any type of fabric or paper based material that can be used to collect sneezing or coughing fluids. In one illustrative embodiment, main body 12 is formed from a sheet of polypropylene, which is a non-woven material that is soft, light, tough, fluid proof and eco-friendly. The sheet is sewn along seam 20.

Each opening 18 a, 18 b is formed with an elastic member 14 a, 14 b respectively, which allows the sleeve to be pulled onto a user's arm and held into place. In one illustrative embodiment, the elastic members are made from a circular rubber material (e.g., a rubber band or braided elastic) which is integrated (e.g., sewn) into the material that forms the main body 12. It is understood however that alternative embodiments may be utilized to facilitate a tightening of the openings 18 a, 18 b. For example, a drawstring, Velcro tabs, etc., may be utilized to secure openings 18 a, 18 b around a user's arm.

Also included at each end are grasping members 16 a, 16 b, which allow the user to easily slide the disposable sleeve 10 on and off an arm without having to touch the main body 12. In one illustrative embodiment, grasping members 16 a, 16 b comprise finger hoops sewn proximate the openings 18 a, 18 b.

In a further embodiment, main body 12 may include an applied substance suitable for reducing the transmission of germs. Illustrative substances may include any anti-viral, anti-microbial or anti-bacterial substance. Additionally, main body 12 may be treated with sodium hypochlorite (bleach).

In still a further embodiment, main body 12 may be treated with a lotion to reduce irritation to a user's skin. Additionally, main body 12 may comprise an absorbent material.

In still a further embodiment, main body 12 may come in different colors to effectively match a user's clothing. Additionally, main body 12 may be fashioned using a translucent or semi-transparent material such that it does not stand out.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a disposable sleeve 10 positioned on a user's arm. As can be seen, having grasping members 16 a, 16 b allow the disposable sleeve to be easily pulled onto, and removed from, the user arm without having to touch the actual sleeve, which may be covered with germs resulting from a sneeze or cough.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 depict various systems for storing and dispensing disposable sleeves. In a first illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the system comprises a “tissue-box” type dispenser 30 for dispensing sleeves 32. FIG. 4 depicts a travel pack system 34 for dispensing sleeves 36. In both of these systems, sleeves 32, 36 may be arranged in their respective containers 30, 34 so that one or more grasping members 38 will automatically extend from the container when opened or when a previous sleeve is removed by a user. When the user takes a partially exposed sleeve by pulling on a loop, a next one replaces it again with loop(s) protruding. Techniques for implementing this including folding the sleeves in a manner to cause the loops to automatically protrude, connecting adjacent sleeves together with, e.g., a “breakable stitch”, etc.

FIG. 5 depicts a refillable rack dispenser 42 that is configured for holding a container 40 of sleeves. In this case, the sleeves are arranged to be pulled downward out of the container 40. As with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, one or both grasping members (not shown) may be configured to automatically extend out of the dispenser opening to facilitate removal.

FIG. 6 depicts a dispensing system 50 that includes a container 56 for holding a plurality of connected sleeves 52 a, 52 b, 52 c . . . . In this embodiment, adjacent sleeves (e.g., 52 a, 52 b) are connected together with a “weld” 54 at a central portion of the sleeve. Weld 54 may include a substance or technique for connecting adjacent sleeves, e.g., glue, stitching, perforation, etc. FIG. 7 depicts a top view of the container 56 that includes an opening 58 with a serrated edge 60 to facilitate separating adjacent sleeves. Serrated edge may be formed from, e.g., cardboard, plastic, or metal.

FIG. 8 depicts an alternative embodiment for connecting adjacent sleeves 62 a, 62 b using a perforation 68 formed along the body of each sleeve. The perforation 68 may be formed on a lip 66 that extends off of a seem 64 that is used to construct the sleeve 62 a (see, e.g., seem 20 in FIG. 1).

FIG. 9 depicts a roll 69 of such sleeves 62 a, 62 b, etc. In this embodiment, roll 69 may be packaged with dimensions similar to a roll of paper towels or roll of toilet paper. Thus, roll 69 is readily adapted to be simply installed on a standard paper towel or toilet paper dispenser.

FIG. 10 depicts an alternative embodiment for connecting adjacent sleeves 72 a, 72 b . . . . In this case, adjacent sleeves 72 a, 72 b are connected at the grasping members 74 a, 74 b, e.g., with a weld. FIG. 11 depicts a vertical dispenser 76 suitable for use with such connected sleeves 72 a, 72 b. Dispenser 76 may include a lip 78 designed for breaking the weld of attached sleeves 72 a, 72 b. For instance, lip 78 may include a sharp edge or pinched opening that easily allows adjacent sleeves to be disconnected from each other.

FIGS. 12 and 13 depict alternative grasping member configurations. In FIG. 12, grasping member is a simple tab 80 that protrudes off of the edge of the sleeve. In FIG. 13, grasping member comprises a thumb tab 82 that protrudes from the edge. Thumb tab 82 may be implemented with a “hooded” opening that provides easy access for a user's finger or thumb.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement which is implemented to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and that the invention has other applications in other environments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable sleeve, comprising: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve.
 2. The disposable sleeve of claim 1, wherein the material of the main body comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: a paper-based material, a fabric and polypropylene.
 3. The disposable sleeve of claim 1, wherein the elastic member comprises an elastic loop sewn into the main body.
 4. The disposable sleeve of claim 1, wherein the material of the main body is treated with a substance selected from the group consisting of: a lotion, an antiviral substance, an antibacterial substance, an anti-microbial substance, and sodium hypochlorite.
 5. The disposable sleeve of claim 1, wherein the material of the main body is absorbent.
 6. The disposable sleeve of claim 1, wherein the grasping member comprises a loop.
 7. The disposable sleeve of claim 1, wherein the grasping member comprises a thumb tab.
 8. A system, comprising: a plurality of disposable sleeves, each having a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve; and a dispenser for storing and dispensing the plurality of disposable sleeves; wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected to each other.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of disposable sleeves a formed into a roll of sleeves configured to be dispensed from a standard paper towel dispenser or toilet paper dispenser.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected at respective grasping members.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected with a weld along a central portion of the main body.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected with a perforation along a central portion of the main body.
 13. The system of claim 8, wherein the grasping member comprises a loop.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the grasping member comprises a thumb tab.
 15. A plurality of disposable sleeves, each comprising: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve; wherein each disposable sleeve is connected to at least one adjacent disposable sleeves to facilitate removal from a container.
 16. The plurality of disposable sleeves of claim 15, wherein the disposable sleeves a formed into a roll of sleeves configured to be dispensed from a standard paper towel dispenser or toilet paper dispenser.
 17. The plurality of disposable sleeves of claim 15, wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected at respective grasping members.
 18. The plurality of disposable sleeves of claim 15, wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected with a weld along a central portion of the main body.
 19. The plurality of disposable sleeves of claim 15, wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected with a perforation along a central portion of the main body.
 20. The plurality of disposable sleeves of claim 15, wherein the grasping member comprises a loop or a thumb tab. 